Vasciannie set to chair KC Board

By HG HELPS Editor-at-Large helpsh@jamaicaobserver.com

Thursday, September 02, 2010

ATTORNEY-at-law, Professor Stephen Vasciannie is slated to become the next chairman of the Board of Governors of Kingston College (KC).

Vasciannie, 50, who is principal of the Norman Manley Law School, will replace veteran lawyer Crafton Miller, who resigned recently, after serving as board chairman for over a decade.

Miller, who turned 80 last May, attended his last board meeting at the school on Monday.

Head of the Anglican Church in Jamaica, Archbishop Alfred Reid had written to Vasciannie requesting that he serve as chairman of the 13-member board and the former KC head boy accepted.

Minister of Education Andrew Holness is expected to ratify the decision within days, as the school's administration wants Vasciannie in place by early September, an Observer source said.

Among the most urgent issues for Vasciannie and the board will be to start the search for a new principal of the 85-year-old institution, following the departure of Herbert 'Herbie' Nelson on Tuesday.

Nelson, a former Jamaica College star footballer of the mid-1970s, had been in charge of the school since October 2009.

However, the Ministry of Education opted against extending his time as day-to-day head of the all-boys institution, which has 1,800 students spread across two campuses — North Street and Upper Elletson Road in Kingston.

Vice Principal Everton Burrell will act as principal.

Vasciannie, a Rhodes Scholar, served as deputy solicitor general up to late 2007 and was later at the centre of controversy arising from Prime Minister Bruce Golding's refusal to accept the choice of the Services Commission to appoint him as solicitor general.

Golding gave no reason publicly for not wanting Vasciannie as his top legal servant, but it is felt that their once friendly and warm relationship broke down following Golding's departure from the National Democratic Movement, a third party that the veteran politician formed in 1996.

Vasciannie was also a founding member of that movement.

Golding fired the members of that commission, appointed another group, which proceeded to install Douglas Leys as solicitor general.

It is likely that most KC old boys and members of related groups will welcome Vasciannie's appointment.

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COMMENTS (11)

Richard Brown
9/2/2010

Based on what I have noticed I would suggest that the Jamaica Observer change its name to the KC Observer, as it appears that newspaper has become the Public Relations representatives for KC.... It is so unfair to the many high schools of Jamaica when your reporting is so biased in favor of KC....... Please note that KC "news" should be kept within walls of the school, the KC PTA, and the KC old boys association and anyone else who is connected there.... Don't be so BIASED!!!!

Wharf Dawg
9/2/2010

The government's loss, KC gains

Otis James
9/2/2010

As former KC boy myself i will endorse Mr. Vasciannie 100% to be the Chairman of Jamaica's greatest and most successful learning institution. When i was going to KC in the 90's i heard alot about him and how brilliant he was as a student at KC,

Purple Heart
9/2/2010

Vascianne is the epitome of our motto:
Latin: FORTIS CADERE, CEDERE NON POTEST
English: THE BRAVE MAY FALL, BUT CANNOT YIELD

Richard Bowen
9/2/2010

EXCELLENT & FULL SPEED AHEAD. Stephen & I were school mates in the 70,s and even then he had a AWESOME presence in the school with his initiative and asertiveness in taking up a leadership roll, not only with School Challenge, O Levels, A Levels,but with his positive interaction with the Student Body, & Sport Fraternity. I support this decision 1000% and continue to commit myself and company to the "FORTIS" way of life. Stephen you have my sustainable support. (RICHARD BOWEN)KCOB/KCOBA.

Fortis jamaican
9/2/2010

An excellent choice for this great institution. He is such an inspiring individual, i always wanted to be like him. The college can only get better under his watch.
'FORTIS FOREVER'.

Richie L
9/2/2010

When I started KC in the late 70's, Dr Vasciannie was the headboy. I remember passing by him under the old grandstand at Melbourne one day. I think he was headed to Mr Bruce's (the vice-principal) office because he was no longer going to Melbourne. He wore a white shirt instead of the khaki. He was composed and unassuming. I have kept up with his doings over the years, mainly through this and the other newspaper.
.
I know he will do KC good.
.
Richie

Robert Collie
9/2/2010

A quality pick. Having been tutored by Dr. V while on the KC quiz team years ago, I can vouch that this is a man of integrity and intelligence. Having seen the great strides he has made at the Norman Manley Law School (of which I am also a graduate) I can say that things are looking way up for the 'College' as we old boys say. We need more persons of this calibre in our governance. Good luck and a big Fortis on your efforts Dr. V.

real southy
9/2/2010

i remember when i entered KC in 1978 and Stephen Vascianne was paraded in front of us as the new Rhodes scholar. i wanted to be like that. never came close. FORTIS FOREVER

george watson
9/2/2010

An excellent appointment. When I hear of Mr. Vasciannie, for some reason I always see him on the KC team on Schools' Challenge Quiz. My, how time flies.

mark jones
9/2/2010

The most important points to be taken away from this article...........it all adds up now;
1) "Vasciannie, a Rhodes Scholar, served as deputy solicitor general up to late 2007 and was later at the centre of controversy arising from Prime Minister Bruce Golding's refusal to accept the choice of the Services Commission to appoint him as solicitor general"
2)"Golding fired the members of that commission, appointed another group, which proceeded to install Douglas Leys as solicitor general."

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Vasciannie set to chair KC Board